Apparatus for hanging doors

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for hanging a door prior to its intsallation in a doorway comprises a frame for supporting the door, two jambs and a header in such positions relative to one another as to permit assembly of the door with a hinge jamb, a lock jamb and a header and thereby prehang the door prior to its installation in a doorway. The frame includes adjustable means for clamping the door and jambs in such positions as to facilitate the installation of hinges and locking devices, and the frame is rockable through substantially 180* to locate the door and jambs in convenient working positions.

United States Patent [1 1 Converse et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR HANGING DOORS [75] Inventors: Gordon L. Converse, Elk Rapids;

Merle C. Mihulka, Boyne City, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Twin Bay Industries Inc., Elk

Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 134,350

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1966 Hollomon 269/305 X 2/1965 Brydolf et al 269/43 10/1966 Sturgis 269/303 X 1 Apr. 30, 1974 5/1899 Wemicke 269/74 x 2,945,520 7/1960 Grubb 144/27 3,263,723 8/1966 Shefiield et al 144/27 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for hanging a door prior to its intsallation in a doorway comprises a frame for supporting the door, two jambs and a header in such positions relative to one another as to permit assembly of the door with a hinge jamb, a lock jamb and a header and thereby prehang the door prior to its installation in a doorway. The frame includes adjustable means for clamping the door and jambs in such positions as to facilitate the installation of hinges and locking devices, and the frame is 'rockable through substantially 180 to locate the door and jambs in convenient working positions.

- 11 Claims, '11 Drawing Figures Pmmimmmw 3.807.720

SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTORS GORDON L. CONVERSE MERLE C. MIHULKA ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR HANGING DOORS The invention disclosed herein relates to apparatus for assembling a door with a pair of door jambs and a header in such manner as to enable the assembly to be installed in a doorway in condition for use. Doors which are assembled in such manner conventionally are referred to as prehung doors and apparatus for prehanging doors has been proposed heretofore. The previously known apparatus for such purpose has not been altogether satisfactory, however, for a number of reasons. For example, the known apparatus has not been capable of prehanging both interior and exterior doors, nor has it been adaptable easily to doors of different width, height and thickness. Moreover, the conventional door prehanging equipment has necessitated manual turning of a door so as to enable the opposite edges of the door to receive hinges and locking devices. Furthermore, the known door prehanging apparatus has been large, heavy, expensive, and has required considerable skill on the part of the operator to accomplish prehanging of a door.

An object of this invention is to provide door prehanging apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the known devices for similar purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide door prehanging apparatus which is adaptable to any commercial size door, both interior and exterior.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind referred to wherein all of the operations required to effect prehanging of a door may be accomplished without removal of the door or any of its associated parts from the supporting apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide door prehanging apparatus which is relatively simple to use, relatively light in weight so as to be portable from job site to job site, if desired, and which minimizes the physical exertions heretofore required in the prehanging of doors.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is an isometric view of apparatus constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus and illustrating a door and hinge jamb in chain lines;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view illustrating the door supporting frame swung 90 clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the door supporting frame swung 90 counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational view illustrating the counterbalancing of the door supporting FIG. 10 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, isometric view illustrating the relative positions of a door and a hinge jamb preparatory to being fitted with hinges.

The hanging of a door requires the fitting of hinges to one side edge of the door and to an adjacent jamb soas to permit the door to swing about the axes of the hinges. When the door is in its closed position, the hinged edge of the door should fit tightly against the jamb. If the hinge leaves are interposed between the confronting edges of the door and the jamb, as is preferred, the door-edge and the jamb must be pocketed or recessed to accommodate the hinge leaves.

The opposite or free edge of the door also must fit snugly against a second or lock jamb when the door is closed. To avoid interference between the free edge of the door and its adjacent lock jamb during opening and closing of the door, the free edge of the door should be beveled.

- The free edge of the door also must be provided with a latch bolt and retaining means and the adjacent jamb must be provided with a keeper and, preferably, a striker plate for cooperation with the latch bolt. To prevent interference between the latch bolt, its retaining means, the striker plate and the keeper, the free edge of the door and the adjacent jamb conventionally are pocketed or recessed for the accommodation of such parts. The door also must be provided adjacent its free edge with latch bolt operating means, such as a door knob, and with means connecting the knob to the latch bolt operating mechanism.

The jamb adjacent the free edge of the door can be maintained assembled with the door and the hinge jamb by means of a header which is connected to and spans the two jambs. When such parts are assembled they may be fitted into a doorway and secured to the doorway framing members of a building or the like so as readily to be opened and closed. Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention permits all of the foregoing assembly operations'to be performed so as to condition the assembled door, jambs and header for installation in a doorway.

Apparatusconstructed in accordance with the disclosed embodiment of the invention comprises a base I having a pair of spaced apart, upright supports 2 and 3 joined by a cross member 4, the uprights terminating at their lower ends in supporting feet 5 and 6. The uprights 2 and 3 are spanned by ashaft 7 journaled at its opposite ends in bearings, one of which is shown at 8 in FIG. 5..

Fixed to the shaft 7 for rotation therewith is a supporting frame 9 comprising a pair of spaced, parallel arms 10 fixed to opposite ends of the shaft 7 and being joined at corresponding ends by a cross member 12. The opposite ends of the arms 10 are free. Carried by the member 12 is a guide or locater 12a adapted for use in routing a bolt keeper and striker plate recess on a door jamb. Secured to the upper edge of the cross member 12 is a wood strip 13 which forms a rail.

The frame 9 also includes an auxiliary support 11 comprising a cross member 14 that parallels the member 12 and carries at its opposite ends a pair of hollow legs 15 joined to channel members 16 which embrace their respective arms 10 in a manner presently to be described. The upper edge of the member 14 carries a wood strip or rail 17 which parallels and is located at the same level as the rail 13 so as to enable a door D to be supported on the rails.

Clamping means 18 is carried at each end of the frame member 12 for clamping the door D to the frame 9. Each of the clamping devices is identical and comprises front and rear body members 19 and 19b, the body 19 having a transverse flange 20 at its upper end to the lower surface of which is fixed a block 21 of wood. The lower end of the body 19 is provided with an elongate slot 22 in which is accommodated a headed pivot pin 23 having a threaded shank 24 which passes through a smooth bore 25 formed in a boss 26 located at the lower end of the body member 19b. The bore 25 has a counterbore 27 in which is accommodated a spring 28 which reacts between the base of the counterbore and a washer 29 carried by the pin 23, the pin being maintained in a selected position of adjustment by a nut 30. The face of the boss 26 at the lower end thereof is beveled as at 31 to form a fulcrum 32.

The construction and arrangement of the clamp parts thus far described are such that the body member 19 is adjustable vertically relatively to the body member 19b as permitted by the slot 22, it is rotatable in a first vertical plane about the axis of the pin 23, and it is rockable in a second vertical plane normal to the first plane about the fulcrum 32 formed by the beveled face The body member 19 is provided with an elongate slot 33 adjacent its upper end for the accommodation of a screw 34 carried by a knob 35, the screw being adapted to be threaded into and out of a correspondingly threaded bore 36 of a boss 37 carried at the upper end of the body member 19b. The screw 34 is covered by a shield 19a. The bosses 26 and 37, together with the central portion of the clamp body 19, provide a space 38 for the accommodation of a jamb J shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. i

The central portion of the clamp body 19 is provided with an elongate slot 39 in which is positioned a threaded shaft 40 the opposite ends 41 and 42 of which are reduced and journaled for free rotation. To the shaft end 42 is fixed a hand wheel 43 to effect rotation of the shaft. Threaded on the shaft 40 is a clamp element 44 having a finger 45 which projects into the space 38 to engage and support the jamb J. The clamp 44 is adjustable longitudinally of the shaft 40 in response to rotation thereof to effect movement of the clamp toward and away from the boss 37. The boss 37 thus is common to the clamps 18 and 44.

The frame member 11 is adjustable toward and away from the frame member 12 so as to permit doors of different widths to be mounted on the rails 13 and 17. For purposes which presently will appear, it is important that the frame member 11 be locked in a selected position of adjustment relative to the frame member 12. Accordingly, a locking mechanism 46 is provided in each of the legs 15.

Each of the locking mechanisms is identical and comprises a block 47 fixed in its associated leg by screws 48. The block 47 is provided with a transverse groove 49 with which a vertical bore 50 communicates. Slidably mounted in the bore 50 is a headed rod 51 which carries at its lower end a pressure plate 52 which is accommodated in an opening 53 formed in the upper flange of the channel member 16. On its lower surface the plate 52 is provided with a wear strip 54 which normally is maintained tightly against the upper surface of the arm 10 by a powerful compression spring 55 interposed between the block 47 and the plate 52. The force of the spring 55 causes the wear strip 54 to bear against the arm 10 with sufficient force to effect compression of a rubbery, friction or brake pad 56 interposed between the lower flange of the channel 16 and the lower surface of the arm 10, thereby locking the frame member 11 against movement longitudinally of the arms 10.

Operating means for the locking mechanisms 46 is designated generally by the reference character 57 and comprises a handle 58 fixed to a shaft 59 that is journaled in the cross member 14. Fixed on the shaft 59 is an actuating rotor 60 having a pair of sockets 61 therein. In each socket is fitted one end of a force transmitting rod 62, the opposite end of which carries a reduced diameter pin 63 which loosely passes through an opening at one end of a link 64 mounted in the leg 15.

The free end of the rod 62 thus forms a shoulder 65. The opposite end of the link 64 extends into the groove 49 of the block 47 and is pivoted by a pin 66 to the rod 51. The link 64 has a projecting toe 67 which bears against the base of the groove 49 and forms a fulcrum about which the link 64 may rock.

The construction and operation of the lock operating means 57 are such that counterclockwise rocking of the handle 58 from the position shown in FIG. 7 causes the rods 62 to move in the directions of the arrows or outboard of the legs 15. As the rods 62 move outwardly, their associated links 64 are rocked about their toes 67 so as to effect movement of the plates 52 toward the blocks 47, thereby compressing the springs 55 and decompressing the brake pads 56. The frame 11 then may be moved longitudinally of the arms 10 to any selected position of adjustment. Release of the handle 58 enables the springs 55 to expand and restore the parts to their normal, locking positions.

To facilitate movements of the frame 11 along the arms 10 and to prevent binding of channels 16 on the arms, each of the channel members is provided with a pair of rollers 68 journaled in bearings carried by brackets 69 fixed to the channel member 16.

For performing some operations on a door, the latter should be mounted atop the rails 13 and 17, but for others the door should be supported below the levels of such rails. For this purpose, therefore, the member 12 is provided with brackets 70 on which a wood rail 71 is fixed and the member 14 is provided with similar brackets 72 on which a similar wood rail 73 is supported, the rails 71 and 73 being located at the same level.

It is preferred that the frame member 11 be provided with clamp means 75 at opposite ends thereof to cooperate with the clamps 18 in clamping a door on the frame 9. Each of the clamps 75 comprises a bar 76 having a vertical slot 77 therein through which a threaded screw 78 extends for reception in a correspondingly threaded opening in the cross member 14. The screw 78 is fixed to a knob 79 by means of which the bar 76 may be secured in any selectedposition of vertical adjustment. The inner surface 80 ,at the upper end of each bar 76 is inclined, as shown in FIG. 8, for a purpose to be explained.

To facilitate handling of the door during its assembly with its jambs and header, the supporting frame 9 is adapted to be rocked about the axis of the shaft 7 to a selected one of a number of positions. Means designated generally by the reference character 80 is provided for latching the frame in a selected position of angular adjustment and comprises a disc 81 fixed to one end of the shaft 7 and having a plurality of notches 82 formed in its periphery. As shown, there are three notches 82 spaced 90 from one another, but a greater number of notches may be provided. A guide housing 83 is bolted or otherwise fixed to the upright 3 and slidably accommodates a latch bolt 84 which is adapted to fit into any one of the notches 82. Fixed to the bolt 84 is a cross bar 85 to which is connected one end of a cable 86 that passes around a pulley 87 and has its other end secured to a lever 88. The lever 88 is fixed to one end of a shaft 89, the opposite end of which is fixed to a pedal 90. Springs 91 normally maintain the bar 85 of the bolt 84 snugly against the housing 83 so as to project the bolt 84 toward the wheel 81. Rocking of the pedal 90 clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2, however, effects downward movement of the bolt 84 so as to retract it from an opening 82, whereupon the frame 9 may be rocked. Preferably one or more counterbalancing springs 92 react between the shaft 70 and the support 5 or 6 so as to bias the frame 9 to its horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

To condition the apparatus for use in prehanging a door, the frame 9 is rocked to and latched in its horizontal position. The clamp bolts 34 then may be unscrewed by means of their operating knobs 35 to permit the body members 19 of the clamps 18 to rock about the fulcrums 32 under the force of the springs 28 to enlarge the spaces 38. A jamb J then may be accommodated in the spaces 38. The end of the jamb which will correspond to the upper end thereof when it is fitted in a doorway may be located in a predetermined position by a stop 93 that is pivoted as at 94 on the frame member 12. In practice, the jamb J has a groove 95 (FIG. 11) for the accommodation of one end of a header, and the stop 93 will be fitted into the groove.

After the jamb J has been located in the spaces 38, the door D may be placed atop the rails 13 and 17 with the edge of the door that is to be the top edge abutting the stop 93. The top edge of the door thus will be prelocated with respect to the' top edge of the jamb J. The clamp bodies 19 then may be lowered, as is permitted by the slots 22 and 33, so that the flanges and blocks 21 overlie the door. The clamp elements 44 then may be adjusted by rotation of the hand wheels 43 so as to clamp the jamb J between the bosses 37 and the clamp fingers 45. The hand wheels then may be turned so as to clamp the jamb J against the frame member 12 and to clamp the bodies 19 against the adjacent edge of the door. As the clamp bodies 19 rock about the fulcrums 32, the door may be caused to slide relatively to the frame, thereby assuring that the clamped edge of the door is located properly with respect to the jamb J.

In the clamped positions of the door and the jamb, the plane P-l (FIG. 11) defined by the door will be normal to the plane P-2 defined by the jamb J and the outer right hand surface of the jamb J as viewed in FIG. 2 and 11, will be coplanar with the adjacent side edge of the door D. The door and the jamb will be vertically spaced from one another, however, by an amount corresponding to the vertical thickness of the boss 37 and the rail 13, and this space corresponds to the spacing necessary to accommodate a hinge. The door and jamb, therefore, are supported by the frame 9 in the relative positions they will occupy when they are fitted in a doorway.

When the door and the jamb have been clamped in the frame, the latter preferably is rocked clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 so as to present the free or unclamped edge of the door uppermost. That edge of the door then may be planed to produce a preferably 3 beveled surface thereon. In this position of the frame, the beveled edge may be bored and routed for the door latch bolt (not shown) and its retaining plate. The door also may be bored adjacent its beveled edge for the accommodation of the door knobs (not shown). Thereafter, the frame 11 may be adjusted to a position near the beveled edge of the door and the clamp bars 76 adjusted upwardly so as to overlie the beveled door edge and clamp the latter tightly against the clamps 18. The inclined surfaces 80 of the clamp bars 76 correspond to the beveled surface of the door edge.

The frame 9 then may be swung 180 counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 so as to present the jamb J and the adjacent edge of the door D uppermost. In these positions of the parts, the upper surface of the jamb J and the adjacent edge of the door D may be routed to form pockets 96 and 97, respectively, at two or more spaced locations for the leaves of hinges (not shown). The hinge leaves then may be screwed to the door and to the jamb, whereupon the jamb and door will be hinged to each other.

Following installation of the hinges, the frame 9 may be returned to its horizontal position and the clamp members 19 and 75 released and located in their lowermost positions. The jamb J then may be swung through 180 from a position shown in FIG. 11. The frame 11 then may be moved away from the frame member 12 and the door D supported on the rails 71 and 73. A second or lock jamb (not shown) previously provided with a striker plate and latch keeper (not shown) may be supported on the rails 73 and so located that the previously installed latch bolt carried by the door fits into the keeper. The lock jamb will have a groove similar to the groove 95 in the jamb J. A header (not shown) may be fitted into the grooves of the two jambs, whereupon the assembly of the door, its two jambs, and the upper header it is completed. The assembly then may be removed from the frame for storage or shipment.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for use in fitting a door to a jamb prior to installing said door and jamb in a doorway, said apparatus comprising frame means for supporting a door and a jamb; means carried by said frame means for locating one edge of said door adjacent one edge of said jamb in the positions said door and said jamb are to occupy when installed in a doorway; means mounting said frame means for rocking movements about a substantially horizontal axis from a substantially horizontal position to either one of two other positions located substantially from said horizontal position; counterbalance means acting on said frame means and biasing the latter to one of said positions; and latch means for releasably latching said frame means in any selected one of said positions.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 including first clamp means for releasably clamping said door to said frame means.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 including second clamp means for releasably clamping said jamb to said frame means. 7 I

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said second clamp means is formed in part by said first clamp means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart rails adapted to be spanned by said door, at least one of said rails being movable toward and away from the other of said rails to vary the spacing therebetween.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 including lock means for locking said one of said rails in a selected one of a number of adjusted positions relative to said other of said rails; and means for selectively releasing and applying said lock means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including spring means constantly acting on said lock means and biasing the latter to its applied condition.

8. Apparatus for use in assembling a substantially planar door and at least one substantially planar jamb prior to installing said door and said jamb in a doorway, said apparatus comprising frame means; common means carried by said frame means for securing a door thereon and for securing a jamb thereon adjacent said door with the plane of said jamb substantially normal to the plane of said door, said common means comprising a body carried by said frame means; a clamp arm movably supported on said body and adapted to overlie said door; means for securing said clamp arm in clamping relation with said door; a clamp member supported on said body in spaced relation to said clamp arm and adapted for movement toward and away from the latter; and means for moving said clamp member toward and away from said arm for clamping and unclamping a jamb interposed between said arm and said clamp member; means mounting said frame means for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis from a substantially horizontal position to either one of two other positions located substantially from said horizontal position and in all of which positions the relative positions of said door and said jamb remain fixed; and means for latching said frame means in any selected one of said positions.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said body is pivotally mounted on said frame means for rocking movements relative to said frame means in at least one plane.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said body is rockable relatively to said frame in two planes.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 including spring means acting on said body and biasing the latter to rock in one of said planes. 

1. Apparatus for use in fitting a door to a jamb prior to installing said door and jamb in a doorway, said apparatus comprising frame means for supporting a door and a jamb; means carried by said frame means for locating one edge of said door adjacent one edge of said jamb in the positions said door and said jamb are to occupy when installed in a doorway; means mounting said frame means for rocking movements about a substantially horizontal axis from a substantially horizontal position to either one of two other positions located substantially 90* from said horizontal position; counterbalance means acting on said frame means and biasing the latter to one of said positions; and latch means for releasably latching said frame means in any selected one of said positions.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 including first clamp means for releasably clamping said door to said frame means.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 including second clamp means for releasably clamping said jamb to said frame means.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said second clamp means is formed in part by said first clamp means.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart rails adapted to be spanned by said door, at least one of said rails being movable toward and away from the other of said rails to vary the spacing therebetween.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 including lock means for locking said one of said rails in a selected one of a number of adjusted positions relative to said other of said rails; and means for selectively releasing and applying said lock means.
 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including spring means constantly acting on said lock means and biasing the latter to its applied condition.
 8. Apparatus for use in assembling a substantially planar door and at least one substantially planar jamb prior to installing said door and said jamb in a doorway, said apparatus comprising frame means; common means carried by said frame means for securing a door thereon and for securing a jamb thereon adjacent said door with the plane of said jamb substantially normal to the plane of said door, said common means comprising a body carried by said frame means; a clamp arm movably supported on said body and adapted to overlie said door; means for securing said clamp arm in clamping relation with said door; a clamp member supported on said body in spaced relation to said clamp arm and adapted for movement toward and away from the latter; and means for moving said clamp member toward and away from said arm for clamping and unclamping a jamb interposed between said arm and said clamp member; means mounting said frame means for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis from a substantially horizontal position to either one of two other positions located substantially 90* from said horizontal position and in all of which positioNs the relative positions of said door and said jamb remain fixed; and means for latching said frame means in any selected one of said positions.
 9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said body is pivotally mounted on said frame means for rocking movements relative to said frame means in at least one plane.
 10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said body is rockable relatively to said frame in two planes.
 11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 including spring means acting on said body and biasing the latter to rock in one of said planes. 